Pope Francis Calls Blessing For Similar Couples Is For Individuals, Not Their Relationship

Pope Francis. (Wikimedia Commons/Benhur Arcayan)

JAKARTA - Pope Francis on Friday again explained Vatican documents of blessing for same-sex couples, saying it was not approved by the lifestyle the Church considered to be potentially guilty, but for individuals who wish to get closer to God.

This is the second time in recent weeks Pope Francis has provided clarification of the December 18 declaration, which has led to widespread debate among the Church, with bishops in several countries refusing to allow their priests to implement it.

Pope Francis' latest explanation was delivered in a speech to members of the Vatican Doctrine Department.

The head of the department, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, has provided a series of interviews to clarify the purpose of the document, known as Latin 'Fiducia Supplians'.

The meaning of the blessing, the Pope said, is "to concretely show the closeness of God and the Church to everyone who, finding themselves in different situations, asks for help to continue or sometimes to start the journey of faith."

The church teaches that same-sex relationships are sin and unnatural, that people with same-sex interests, who are not considered guilty, must try to be holy.

The Pope said that although "moral perfection" is not required of people seeking such blessings, it is not meant to justify relations deemed unnatural by the Church.

"When a couple comes spontaneously to ask for it, the blessed is not the unity, but the people who together ask for it. Not the relationship, but the people," the Pope said.

Pope Francis stressed that such a blessing should not be given in the context of liturgical. The document says blessings must be given secretly and never with the splendor or ceremonial equipment found at weddings.

In his speech on Friday, Pope Francis apparently acknowledged the rejection of the document, particularly in Africa, in which bishops effectively rejected it and in some countries, same-sex activities could lead to imprisonment or even the death penalty.

Pope Francis said that when blessings are given, priests must "naturally consider the context, sensitivity, the place where one lives and the most appropriate ways to do so".

It is known, since being elected in 2013, Pope Francis has tried to make a church with 1.35 billion followers, more LGBT-friendly, without changing the moral doctrine.